South Korean stocks traded 0.6 percent higher late Tuesday morning, cheered by bullish large-cap exporters, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 12.06 points to 2,009.02 as of 11:20 a.m.
Tech and auto blue chips shored up the main index. Samsung Electronics rose 1.02 percent, and Kia Motors, the smaller affiliate of Hyundai Motor, gained 1.53 percent.
In contrast, domestic-focused issues lost ground, with state-run electricity provider Korea Electric Power Corp. falling 1.3 percent and Korea's No. 1 Internet portal service provider NAVER sliding 0.2 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,074.10 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 0.1 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap news)
